Just five minutes ago, Denny Hamlin sent shockwaves through the NASCAR world with a fiery defense of Joey Logano’s latest victory, silencing critics and igniting debates across the fanbase. The Joe Gibbs Racing star took to his podcast, *Actions Detrimental*, to address the controversy surrounding Logano’s dominant win at Phoenix Raceway, which secured his third Cup Series championship. Fans have been vocal, claiming the playoff format unfairly favored Logano, who finished 15th in regular-season points. Hamlin, however, wasn’t having it.
“People need to stop whining about the system,” Hamlin declared. “Joey played the game better than anyone. He won when it mattered most.” His words cut through the noise, reminding fans that NASCAR’s playoff structure rewards clutch performances, not just season-long consistency. Logano’s strategic brilliance in Atlanta and a fuel-mileage masterclass in Las Vegas propelled him to the Championship 4, a feat Hamlin argued deserves respect. “You don’t luck into three titles,” he said, referencing Logano’s 2018, 2022, and 2024 championships.
Hamlin’s defense is a stark departure from his past criticisms of the playoff format. In 2024, he called it flawed for sidelining dominant drivers like Kyle Larson, who won six races but fell short in the playoffs. Yet, today, Hamlin flipped the script, praising Logano’s ability to navigate the high-stakes elimination rounds. “Joey’s team executed. They didn’t choke. That’s what champions do,” he said, shutting down claims that Logano’s win was undeserved.
The timing of Hamlin’s comments is no coincidence. With NASCAR’s 2025 season on the horizon, he’s stirring the pot, perhaps to shift focus from his own championship drought. Despite 51 career wins, Hamlin remains title-less, a fact fans often highlight. By defending Logano, he’s not just supporting a rival but also subtly endorsing the system that could finally deliver him a crown. “Everyone has the same shot in the playoffs,” he noted. “Joey proved it.”
Logano, for his part, has stayed above the fray, but Hamlin’s unexpected support adds fuel to his legacy. At 34, Logano joins legends like Jeff Gordon and Richard Petty with multiple titles before 35. His Phoenix triumph, where he led 144 laps, was a statement of dominance, yet fans fixated on his regular-season struggles. Hamlin’s rebuttal—“Playoffs are a different beast”—echoes what Logano himself said on *The Teardown* podcast: “We’ve had this system for 11 years. Everyone knows the rules.”
As social media buzzes with reactions, Hamlin’s bold stance has divided NASCAR’s heartland. Some fans applaud his honesty, while others accuse him of deflecting from his own shortcomings. Regardless, his defense of Logano reframes the narrative: in NASCAR’s unpredictable playoffs, it’s not about who’s best all year but who’s best when the lights shine brightest. Logano was, and Hamlin made sure everyone knows it.
